RailEnquiry

HYDERABAD: With local defence estate officials rejecting a 25-acre land identified at Jawaharnagar in lieu of the 2.05 acres they would be losing for the metro rail project, the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) has again started scouting for suitable land in Rangareddy district.The defence authorities requested HMRL for equivalent market value of land in lieu of around 2.05 acres in Secunderabad cantonment. Based on the request, the HMRL had identified 25 acres at Jawaharnagar village in Shamirpetmandal in Rangareddy district in 2011 and necessary paperwork was underway.Meanwhile, the defence authorities rejected the identified land at Jawaharnagar. "The land issue cropped up at the special task force (STF) meeting, chaired by chief secretary P K Mohanty, on the progress of the metro rail works. The defence officials, who attended the meeting, raised doubts on identifying the government land (survey no. 706/P) at Jawaharnagar," sources said.

"We want litigation-free and plain land. The 25-acre land, which the HMRL has identified at Jawaharnagar, is not suitable for us. Moreover, the land is located near hillocks.

The area was inspected by the Army officials and rejected it for different reasons," the sources told TOI.

"Accordingly, we have asked the HMRL authorities to identify same extent of land in Rangareddy district," he said.

Meanwhile, chief secretary P K Mohanty has sent a letter to the defence secretary seeking permission to take over the defene land located between Secunderabad Club-Parade Grounds-Defence Estates Office (near Cantonment Board office) to take up pillar works for the proposed metro rail connecting Jubilee Bus Station and Falaknuma and Nagole-Shilparamam corridors.

"The Army officials have already given their consent to part with the land to the Hyderabad metro rail, provided the HMRL allots us land, equivalent in value to the property we are losing. Once, the HMRL hands over land to us, we will report to the MoD," said a senior official of the Defence Estates Office, AP Circle.

When contacted, HMRL managing director NVS Reddy said: "Defence officials refused to take the Jawaharnagar land. We have now identified same extent of land (without litigation) at Vikarabad in Rangareddy district. Once the Rangareddy district collectorate sends a report on the land, we will write to the government to take necessary steps to issue a GO regarding allotment of land to the defence authorities."